Interesting Facts about Desert Birds

Discover amazing information about birds in the deserts of South America, North America, Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia and the Antarctic with Factsmania's encyclopedia of Interesting Facts for Kids which examines the adaptations and survival of Desert Birds living in the Sahara, Gobi, Mojave, Kalahari, and Atacama Desert biomes.

Discover information and interesting facts about desert biome birds including Ravens, Roadrunner, Black-Billed Magpie, Black-neck Stilt, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Mourning Dove, White-wing Dove, Common Ground Dove, Inca Dove, Long-billed Curlew, Greater-Sage Grouse, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Turkey, Vultures, Falcons, Owls, Eagles and Hawks. With printable facts about desert bird adaptations, survival and food webs.

Interesting Facts about Desert Biome Animals:- Check out fun facts about Birds of Prey that live in the deserts of the Sahara, Gobi, Kalahari, Mojave, Sonoran and Atacama for kids. Factsmania provides free printable fact sheets with definitions and summaries about Desert Birds for kids; ideal for homework help and teacher guides. Discover facts on how birds adapt to desert life and harsh climates which are subject to hot temperatures, lack of vegetation and water.

Interesting Facts about Desert Biome Animals:- Our list of Desert Birds offer interesting facts for children and school teachers including names, adaptations, survival techniques, lifespan, diet predators, where desert birds build their nests and how they cleverly adapt according to their environment.

Interesting Facts about Desert Birds for Kids

Interesting Facts about Desert Birds for Kids:- Where do desert birds live?
Numerous bird species can be found living in deserts across the world in North America, South America, Asia, Africa, Europe, Antarctica and Australia. The names of some of the Earth's major desert biomes include the Gobi, Sahara, Arabian, Kalahari, Sonoran, Patagonian, Mojave and Chihuahuan where many types of birds have been able to adapt and survive harsh climate conditions to which deserts are often subjected. Weather conditions in these types of biomes can determine a hot, dry climate with extreme temperature change, and thus, a lack of vegetation and water.

Interesting Facts about Desert Birds for Kids:- Names of Desert Birds
Several different species of bird can survive most types of climates including those experienced within desert biomes. Birds can take up several adaptations to survive harsh environments and form a new species. The names of the most common birds of the desert include Ravens, Roadrunner, Black-Billed Magpie, Black-neck Stilt, Eurasian Collared-Dove, Mourning Dove, White-wing Dove, Common Ground Dove, Inca Dove, Long-billed Curlew, Greater-Sage Grouse, Great Egret, Great Blue Heron, Turkey, Vultures, Falcons, Owls, Eagles and Hawks.

Interesting Facts about Desert Birds for Kids:- Where do Desert Birds build their nests?
Deserts are typically subject to sparse vegetation so unlike rich ecosystems found in other types of biomes, such as forest biomes where trees grow in abundance, desert birds have to search a little harder to find ideal places, such as, palms to build the nests. Woodpeckers build their nests inside cactuses, mostly the Saguaro Cactus. Some even make their homes among the cactus spines. Woodpeckers adapt well to desert life as they have legs that protect them from the spines. The Elf Owl makes its home in holes abandoned by Woodpeckers as the Woodpecker creates a new home every spring. The Burrowing Owl, found in North and South America, searches for pre-built burrows like the ones created by the prairie dog. Many desert birds will avoid direct sunlight and look for places where they can their build nests in the shade, or they may search for microclimates which offer a different type of climate to that of the surrounding area. In other types of biomes, some bird species will build nests on the ground, however, this is not usually the case in a desert biome. An example of this is the roadrunner which spends most of its time on the ground but builds a nest in shrubs or trees.

Interesting Facts about Desert Birds for Kids:- Adaptation of desert birds
Deserts are prone to intense heat, especially during the day, and with such high temperatures, water availability can be limited. Desert birds have made several adaptations to cope with such extreme conditions. As a typical rule of thumb, desert birds will avoid daytime activity. Even the most active of birds, that enjoy daytime activity in comfortable climates, prefer the hours of dawn when the desert is comparatively cooler. Another way in which desert birds can avoid the heat of the day is to seek out a microclimate that offers cooler temperature conditions. Many species seek refuge in the shade of trees like the Cactus Wren which is native to South America and Mexico. The Cactus Wren can be found resting under the jojoba tree. Crevices in the cliffs are cooler and preferred by bats.

Interesting Facts about Desert Birds for Kids:- Desert Birds temperature regulation facts
Birds have a body temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) and they conduct heat to the atmosphere. They can also sleek their feathers to create thin layers of insulation. Desert birds follow a method of evaporative cooling as the area from where water evaporates is cooled automatically. Owls perform gular fluttering which is similar to animals panting to induce evaporative cooling. Vultures are able to control their body temperature in a very interesting way whereby the bird will urinate on its feet when it becomes too hot. When the urine evaporates, it cools the bird's feet making it possible to release more heat from this area of the body.

Interesting Facts about Desert Birds for Kids:- Desert birds that sing at night
When we feel that the world is resting at night, the desert comes alive! The climate is cooler and wildlife can move around more comfortably. The call of desert birds is most prominent and can be heard across the biome. Mockingbirds pick up every single sound in its surrounding area and mimic them at night time hours. Some Mockingbirds are highly creative and can even create improvisations and vibrant music. This type of bird is mostly found in the American Southwest deserts. The night herons make noises which are not actually songs but squawks and crackles and sometimes even loud screams. Different owls make varied sounds and noises at night from hooting to whinnying. Barred owls also make screaming sounds. The Hummingbird uses songs to define its territory, creating mating calls.

Interesting Facts about Desert Birds for Kids:- Desert birds of prey facts
Various bird of prey species can be found living in our world's deserts in North America, South America, Asia, Africa, Europe, Antarctica and Australia. The following list provides names of some the birds of prey found living in deserts:

Red Tailed Hawk: Scientific Name: Buteo jamaicensis. It's a regal hawk variety found in living in deserts which feeds on mostly rodents.
Osprey: Scientific Name: Pandion haliaetus. This species usually lives near water sources and feeds on fishes from lakes, rivers or ponds.
Golden Eagle: Scientific Name: Aquila chrysaetos. The Golden Eagle is a migratory bird which leaves before the onset of summer and returns to the desert during winter. They can kill large animals like rabbits to Fox.
Bald Eagle: Scientific Name: Haliaeetus leucocephalus. They are more common than the golden eagle.
Burrowing Owl: Scientific name: Athene cunicularia. This type of owl feeds on small insects mostly bugs and crickets. They are capable of making burrows if required but prefer to find a home in gopher burrows.
Great Horned Owl: Scientific Name: Bubo virginianus. As their name suggest, this is a big bird, they have a mighty size and are one the most vicious predatory birds of the desert.
Harris Hawk: Scientific Name: Parabuteo unicinctus. They hunt in pack or groups of at least two members. Harris Hawks feed on other birds, lizards, large insects and even mammals
Swainson's Hawk: Scientific Name: Buteo swainsonine. This type of hawk feeds on rats, rabbits, snakes, lizards and other birds.
Cooper's Hawk: Scientific Name: Accipiter cooperii. Their primary food comprises of other birds preferably medium sized ones opposed to small birds.
Peregrine Falcon: Scientific Name: Falco pergrinus. Peregrine Falcons are swift and powerful and love to feed on medium sized birds.

Interesting Facts about Desert Birds for Kids:- What do desert birds eat?
Most carnivore desert birds feed on insects, by pulling them out the sands and cactus saps into the open. Spiders, centipedes, lizards and other soft-bodied arthropods also serve as food to desert birds. Other popular types of food favored by desert birds include small berries, cactus fruits seeds, and nectar from cactus flowers.

Interesting Facts about the Desert Birds for Kids:- Sonoran Desert Birds Facts
The following list of desert birds includes facts and names of bird species found living in the Sonoran Desert:
There are more than 100 bird species in the Sonoran Desert.
Cactus Wren is the common wren species. It is the state bird of Arizona.
The Gila Woodpecker and Great Roadrunner are the most common.
Owls make nighttime lovely with the Elf Owl being the smallest one. The other owl species found living in the Sonoran Desert include the Horned own, barn owl and burrowing owl.
Gambel's quail is the-the most common kind of quail.
Eagles and hawks form a major part of the ecosystem.
There are also other desert birds living in the Sonoran such as humming birds, flinches, vultures, gilded flickers and sparrows.

Interesting Facts about the Desert Birds for Kids:- Mojave Desert Birds Facts
The following list of desert birds offers facts and names of bird species found living in the Mojave Desert:
Le Conte's Thrashers are similar to mockingbirds and have yellow feathers to blend in with the surroundings. They look for the airy areas of the Mojave.
Scott Orioles are songbirds and live near the Joshua tree. They are migratory birds.
Burrowing Owls are of small size and find retreat in underground spaces. They are also white and brown shaded.
Costa Hummingbirds reproduce in the Mojave desert. They travel to North Mexico on the onset of winter.

Interesting Facts about the Desert Birds for Kids:- Sahara Desert Birds Facts
The Sahara Desert is native to many species of bird including the world's largest type of bird, the ostrich, a flightless bird originating from Africa. The ostrich is particularly adaptable to the Sahara Desert as it feeds off plants and seeds which enable this type of bird to obtain enough water to survive. Other types of birds found living in the Sahara Desert include Secretary Birds, Arabian Bustards, Denham's Bustards, Nubian Bustards, Abdim's Stork, African Collared Dove, African Spoonbill, African Swallow-tailed Kite, plus many more species. The following list of desert birds includes facts and names of bird species found living in the Sahara Desert:
There are more than 200 different species of birds in the Sahara Desert.
The ostrich is left free to roam over the African deserts. They protect themselves with their quick sprints.
The secretary bird feeds on mammals and reptiles.
Little Grebe is one the Grebes found in this biome.

Interesting Facts about the Desert Birds for Kids:- Gobi Desert Birds Facts
The following list of desert birds provides facts and names of birds found living in the Gobi Desert:
The weather condition is very harsh, and there are fewer native species, most of these desert birds are migratory.
The golden eagle is found in real numbers in the Gobi Desert, and they have a life span of up to 18 years.
The northeastern Gobi region has several harmless birds like cranes, geese, ducks and other water birds.
Eoornis is an endangered bird found in the Gobi desert region.

Interesting Facts about the Desert Birds for Kids:- Australian Desert Birds Facts
The following list of desert birds includes names of bird species found living in the Australia Desert:
The birds of prey like eagles, Hawks, falcon and owls are the most popular birds of prey in Australian Deserts.
Cockatoo is commonly found here with over 14 species.
The spotted turtle dove was introduced into Australia, and have since increased in number.
Red wattlebirds are popular honeyeaters found living in the deserts of Australia. They are the second biggest honeyeaters.

Interesting Facts about the Desert Birds for Kids:- Desert Birds Adaptations:
There are many types of birds which either live in the desert, or pass through during migration. Such birds include birds of prey such as eagles, hawks, owls and falcons, and large birds such as herons, ostrich, roadrunners, vultures and ravens. Depending on their specie, birds have various characteristics which make them adaptable to life in hot climates, for example, large wingspan provide birds with speed and power, sharp claws help capture prey, and the ability to make loud noises deter their predators. Some desert birds, such as roadrunners, have long, powerful feet that help them chase and capture their prey.

Interesting Facts about the Desert Birds for Kids:- Desert Ostrich Adaptations:
The ostrich is a large flightless bird native to Africa and commonly found in African deserts such as the Sahara. This type of bird adapts well to hot, dry climates as its characteristics helps it survive extreme weather conditions and dangers posed by predators. Ostriches are very good at escaping their predators as their long, strong legs allow them to run fast. This particular desert bird only has two toes which increased their speed enabling them to run at high speed. Their balance is good due to having long wings, their vision is shape as they have large eyes. Ostriches control body temperature well as  there are no feathers on their legs, this allows them to withstand hot and cold temperatures. When it is cold, Ostriches are able to protect bare skin with their wings and when it is hot, they can stay cool by leaving these areas exposed.

Interesting Facts about the Desert Birds for Kids:- Desert Roadrunner Adaptations:
Roadrunners are amongst the types of birds found living in deserts such as the Sonoran in North America. This type of bird is able to fly but likes to stay on the ground as it can preserve its energy. Roadrunners are fast runners and can reach high speeds of 40 kilometers per hour - very helpful when they need to escape predators.

Interesting Facts about the Desert Birds for Kids:- Desert Vulture Adaptations:
The vulture is the one of the most common predators found in desert ecosystems and dominates the food chain. The vulture scavenges for food and will eat the remains of dead animals. Desert birds control their body temperature by using their feet to cool down through blood vessel dilation. Vultures will urinate on their legs to reduce the temperature of their feet which in turn, reduces their overall body temperature.

Interesting Facts about the Desert Birds for Kids:- Desert Golden Eagle Adaptations:
The Golden Eagle has strong wings and can fly very fast. This gives them a distinct advantage when actively hunting for food. Golden Eagles eat various things including small rodents such as jerboa which they grab with their sharp claws.

Interesting Facts about Desert Birds for Kids